City Council

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final City Council Thursday, December 8, 2016 8:00 PM Council Chambers Truth In Taxation Hearing 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE MAYOR The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan at 8:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL Councilmembers Bourke and Hovland absent. Quorum Present. ALSO PRESENT: Joe Huss, Finance Director; Ward Brown, Budget/Fiscal Analyst; Bryan Schafer, Community Development Director; Bob Therres, Public Services Manager; Chris Olson, Safety Service Manager/Police Chief; Roark Haver, Communications Technician; and Catherine Sorensen, City Clerk. 9. 8:00 P.M. - PUBLIC HEARING AND ITEMS SET FOR A CERTAIN TIME 9.-1 Com 16-07 TRUTH-IN-TAXATION HEARING Mayor Ryan opened the public hearing at 8:00 p.m. Finance Director Huss explained the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing was being held to take input from the public on the proposed budget and tax levy for 2017. He stated the Council has held monthly discussions about the proposed budget and tax levy since May. Finance Director Huss then provided the Council with a presentation on the 2017 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy. Finance Director Huss described how property taxes were determined based on property values and the City’s tax rate. He outlined Market Value Exclusion impacts and explained the Council’s direction was to increase the tax levy for 2017 to a proposed 35.9%, which is the same combined overall rate as 2016. He was pleased to report that property values were recovering and have seen strong growth in the last two or three years. He reviewed the revenues and expenditures in further detail and reported Blaine had the fourth City of Blaine Page 1 City Council Minutes - Final December 8, 2016 lowest tax rate in Anoka County. It was noted the majority of the General Fund expenditures are for public and safety services and discussed the five-year projection assumptions and concerns with the Council. He indicated the City’s per capita spending remains below inflation. He explained the City was proud of the fact it had maintained its AA+ bond rating from Standard & Poor’s. He indicated last Council meeting of 2017 would be held on Thursday, December 15th where the final levy would be approved. As no one wished to appear, Mayor Ryan closed the public hearing at 8:24 p.m. Councilmember Herbst asked if the projected debt service was considered in the budget and tax levy. Finance Director Huss reported this information was included and explained the City was in a very stable position for the next five years. Mayor Ryan commented on the high volume of absentee voting in the recent election and that additional temporary staffing may be needed to accommodate increased voters. Mayor Ryan said he was pleased to see that property values were recovering throughout the entire City. Informational: no action required 13. OTHER BUSINESS None. None. 14. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ryan adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. Adjourned City of Blaine Page 2